New Zealand has had three capital cities – first Russell, in the Bay of Islands, in 1840, then, just a year later, Auckland. Since 1865 the more centrally located Wellington has been the country’s capital, and in 2011 travel publisher Lonely Planet dubbed it the ‘coolest little capital in the world’. The capital city is the location of the country’s major government institutions. It is the base for Parliament, the offices of the cabinet and prime minister, the residences of the prime minister and governor general, and the country’s highest courts. After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in February 1840, Governor Willliam Hobson established his official residence at Russell in the Bay of Islands. This was New Zealand’s first capital. Several Māori chiefs offered Hobson land at Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland) so he could establish a capital there. From March 1841 Auckland was the capital. After New Zealand became self-governing, the first General Assembly met in Auckland in May 1854. However, there was concern about the site, particularly because its northern location made it difficult to travel to – especially for MPs from the South Island. In the 1850s some MPs attempted to have the General Assembly meet in a more central location. Wellington hosted a session of the assembly in 1862, and in 1863 it was proposed that the capital be moved somewhere on the shores of Cook Strait. An independent tribunal of three Australians decided on the location. They visited a number of sites and chose Wellington – a decision that led to public protest in Auckland, and an unsuccessful bid by Auckland
assembly members to separate from the rest of the country. Wellington has been the capital since 1865. It gains economic benefits from jobs for public servants and government investment in infrastructure. National cultural organisations such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are in Wellington – as is the national war memorial.
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The Capitals of New Zealand
New Zealand has had three capital cities – first Russell, in the Bay of Islands, in 1840, then, just a year later, Auckland. Since 1865 the more centrally located Wellington has been the country’s capital, and in 2011 travel publisher Lonely Planet dubbed it the ‘coolest little capital in the world’. The capital city is the location of the country’s major government institutions. It is the base for Parliament, the offices of the cabinet and prime minister, the residences of the prime minister and governor general, and the country’s highest courts. After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in February 1840, Governor Willliam Hobson established his official residence at Russell in the Bay of Islands. This was New Zealand’s first capital. Several Māori chiefs offered Hobson land at Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland) so he could establish a capital there. From March 1841 Auckland was the capital. After New Zealand became self-governing, the first General Assembly met in Auckland in May 1854. However, there was concern about the site, particularly because its northern location made it difficult to travel to – especially for MPs from the South Island. In the 1850s some MPs attempted to have the General Assembly meet in a more central location. Wellington hosted a session of the assembly in 1862, and in 1863 it was proposed that the capital be moved somewhere on the shores of Cook Strait. An independent tribunal of three Australians decided on the location. They visited a number of sites and chose Wellington – a decision that led to public protest in Auckland, and an unsuccessful bid by Auckland
assembly members to separate from the rest of the country. Wellington has been the capital since 1865. It gains economic benefits from jobs for public servants and government investment in infrastructure. National cultural organisations such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are in Wellington – as is the national war memorial.
Adapted from :
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/capital-city